Red Bull fined €30,000 for the unsafe pit release

Red Bull Racing received €30,000 fine for the unsafe pit release of Mark Webber’s car through the German Grand Prix.

FOM cameraman Briton Paul Allen is recovering in hospital following he was hit by a tyre that had separated from Webber’s RB9.

The man was immediately attended to by members of the Mercedes team, which had been closest to the incident, before medical staff arrived, and was initially diagnosed with ‘chest pains and concussion’. That report was subsequently amended to include a broken shoulder, cracked ribs, bruising and cuts following his transfer to hospital in nearby Koblenz.

“The Stewards, having received a report from Race Director, heard from a team representative, examined video evidence, have considered the following matter, and determine a breach of the regulations has been committed by the competitor named below and impose the penalty referred to.

Reason The team released car 2 before all wheels were safely fitted and the right rear wheel came off as the car left the pit stop position. The wheel passed four teams and struck a camera operator causing injury.”